Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Acts 2:4 - 2:4
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Act 2:4. Καὶ, and) The internal operations are here described, along with their effect, as in Act 2:3 the external symbol is described.-ἅπαντες, they all) all those of whom Act 2:1; Act 2:14-15, ch. Act 1:14, etc. treat, of various age, sex, and condition; see below, Act 2:17-18.-ἤρξαντο, they began) This was a thing which never before had occurred.-λαλεῖν, to speak) without difficulty, with readiness.-γλώσσαις, with tongues) The miraculous variety was not in the ears of the hearers, but in the mouth of the speakers: ch. Act 10:46, Act 19:6; Mar 16:17; 1Co 12:10. This family, which was thus celebrating the praises of God in the tongues of the whole world, was an equivalent representative of the whole world, which is about to praise God with the tongues of its inhabitants.-καθὼς, even as) 1Co 12:11, “All these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.”-ἐδίδου) was giving, gave, so as that they might speak without difficulty, and yet freely.[8]-ἀποφθέγγεσθαι) the power to speak forth, with soberness, and at the same time power; Act 2:14, “Peter lifted up his voice;” ch. Act 26:25, Paul, “I am not mad, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” Justus Jonas observes, “Moses, who is the typical representative of the law, had a ‘tongue slow of speech’ (Exo 4:10):-but the Gospel speaks with a tongue set on fire and flaming with ardour”.
[8] i.e. Though they were dependent on the Spirit, they were not divested of their individual freedom.-E. and T.